Wire-fence machine.



No. 804,846. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. A. G., F. W. & B. A. HOEFER.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 1'7. 1905.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. A. G F. W. & E. A. HOEFER.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLIOA'I'ION FILED um. 11. 1906.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 804.846. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. A. G., F. W. & E. A. HOEFER.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED .TAN.17.1905.

mm mm No. 804,846. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. A. G., F. W. & E. A. HOBFER.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.17. 1905.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

No. 804,846. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

A. G., P. w. & E. A. HOEFER.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17. 1905.

v 12 snnn'rs-snnz'r 6.

No. 804,846. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. A. G., F, W. & E. A. HOEPER. WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED .TAN.17. 1905.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

U GHQ min PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 8 NNNW WNW WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.1'7. 1905.

A. G., F. W. & E. A. HOEFER.

m 1 I 1: xw m w No. 804,846. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. A. G., F. W. & E. A. HOEFBR. WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17. 1905.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

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N0. 804,846. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. A. G., F. W. & E. A. HOEPER.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN.17,1905.

12 SHEETS-SHEBT 10.

umcwtow .flugast G. Hoef'er,

Fred WHOQfe/L and I mil flffogfer PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

v A. G., F. W. & E. A. HOEFER.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17. 1905.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 11.

witnesses 12 SHEETS-SHEET 12.

PATENTBD NOV. '21, 1905.

gvwcmfow WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

A. G., F. W. & E. A. HOEFERQ APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17. 1905.

w Aw. PE R. m u w QQN NQN wfi y M. @u w wm www UNITED STATES AUGUST G. HOEFER, FREDERICK W. HOEFER, AND EMIL A. HOEFER, OF FREEPORT, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO JANESVILLE BARB WIRE COM- PATENT oEEroE.

PANY, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

WIRE-FENCE MACHINE- FREDERICK HOEFER, and EMIL A. HOEFER,

of Freeport, Stephenson county, Illinois, have invented -a Wire-Fence Machine, of which the following is a'specification.

the strand-wires.

This invention relates to a device for manufacturing wire fences of 'that type known as square-mesh'that is to say, a fence having a series of parallel strand-wires running longitudinally and stay-wires connecting them transversely at intervals.

The'object of our invention more particularly is toproduce a machine capable of automatically making the wire fence patented by August Gr. Hoefer and described in his United States Patent No. 710,913, dated October 7, 1902. In this fence the stay-wires are compoundthat is, each complete stay running from-top to bottom of the fence comprises as many pieces of wire as there are intervalsbetween the successive strand-wires and the feature more particularly characterizing this fence is the manner in which the ends of adjacent stay-wires are connected together by coiling around each other with the strand-wire between them. Another impor-,

tant characteristicoof this fence is the crimp or sharp bendwhich is put in the strand-wire at the point where it passes between the two staywires,.whereby thestays are prevented frombecoming displaced longitudinally on For the form and characteristics of the fence we refer to the aforesaid patent. A further characteristic of the fence as manufactured by the machine herein described, but not referred to in said patent, is

the crimp in the strands intermediate between each pair of stays.

The object, therefore, which we havein view is a machine adapted to evolve the finished fence from plain continuous wire without any 'previous or subsequent manipulation.

One of the main features of this invention resides in the mannerof coiling the stay-wire ends, whereby certain important things are achieved-towit, first, the ends of the wires are coiled by means of dies completelyaround each other without leaving any projecting end, ashas been the case with fences hitherto made byreason' of the imperfect coiling of such ends, and, secondly, the interlocking ends of two stays are coiled in opposite directions.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 17,1905. Serial No. 241,493.

Patented. Nov. 21, 1905.

Another important feature used in connection with the coiler system is the means employed for holding the strands and stays in the process of coiling and putting the necessary crimp in the strand-wire by the same dies which hold the wire in the act of taking such hold of the wire.

Another important feature of our present machine resides in the novel means by which the stay wires are cut off in their proper lengths and conveyed to the holding means above-mentioned, this being done by one operation.

Still another feature of our improvement resides in our improved and simplified feed and crimping drum, whereby intermediate crimps between the stays are placed in the strand-wires, and at the same time the completed fence and strand are fed along through the machine.

Other novel features of our machine are the spacing mechanism for the stay ends or outside stay-wires, the crimping mechanism for the outside stay-wires, the means by which their proper movements are given to the various parts of the machine, and other subordinate constructions and combinations which will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

(V6 have illustrated in the accompanying drawings our machine in its most approved form as adapted to a seven-strand fence, and it will of course be readily understood by those versed in the art how the machine is to be altered or amplified to produce a fence of any other number of strands.

In the drawings, Figure l is a left side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section in the plane of the third strand-wire -A from the leftthat is, from the top of the fence. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section looking from the front approximately on the line 4, Fig. 3, showing a front View of the head-block and die-carriage, the carriers being removed and the cams on the rear shaft omitted for the sake of clearness. Fig. 5 is a vertical section looking from the rear approirimately on the line 5', Fig. 3, showing a rear view of the head-block and die-carriage, the carriers and other parts in the rear thereof being removed for the sake of clearness.

Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a fragmerr tary side elevation, partly in section, and a Fig. 14 is a vertical section through the upper carrier shown in Fig. 13 on the line 14 of that figure. views, respectively, of the right-hand guideblock and the extreme righthand cutting block or knife for the lower stay-wires. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the extreme righthand cutting block or knife for the upper stay-wires. Figs. 18 and 19 are respectively a transverse section on the line 18, Fig. 19, and a fragmentary front elevation, both on enlarged scale, of the coilers and coiler-blocks in position. Fig. 20 is a perspective view of one of the coiler-blocks, showing the staywires in the position which they occupy when the coiler-block advances to receive them. Fig. 21 is a perspective view of one of the coilers. Fig. 22 is a perspective view of one of the intermediate gears for the coilers. Figs. 23 and 24 are respectively a front and an end view of a coiler-die. Figs. 25 and 26 are fragmentary longitudinal sections of the machine, taken approximately on the line 25, Fig. 4, showing the coilers, carriers, and gripping-dies in two positions representing the extreme positions of the carriage' Figs. 27-and 28 are perspective views, respectively, of an upper and a lower gripping-die for the outside strand-wires. Fig. 29 is a side elevation from the left of the machine of a part thereofwith the side post for the headblock removed and parts being shown in section to illustrate themode of operation of the outside coiler. Fig. 30 is a front view of one of the outside coilers and the parts cooperating therewith. Fig. 31 is aperspective view of one end of a coiler, showing the operation of coiling a stay-wire end about the adjacent stay-wire. Fig. 32 is a side elevation of the locking-disk for the coilers and its dog, being a longitudinal section through the carriage in the plane of said disk. Figs. 33 and 34 are respectively a vertical longitudinal central section on the line 33, Fig. 34, and a plan view of the cam mechanism which gives motion to the carriage. Fig. 35 is partly a front elevation and partly a longitudinal axial section through the feed and crimping drum. Fig. 36 is a fragmentary transverse section through the same approximately on the line 36, Fig. 35. Fig. 37 is a side elevation of one of the crimpers for the outside strand-wires. Fig. 38 isa perspective view of a spacer for the outside stay-joints.

movement of the carriage.

Figs. 12 and 13 Figs. 15 and '16 are perspective Fig. 39 is a side view of r the same, showing its action on the backward Figs. 40 and 41 are side views, respectively, of an intermediate and an outside stay-wire joint of the fence made by the machine, as described in the aforementioned patent and being here shown for convenience of reference.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, 51 is a rectangular frame mounted on legs 52 at the four corners thereof, said legs secured in place by internal flanges 53 and 54, Fig. 3. It will 'be noted from Fig. 3 that the transverse member 55 at the right-hand end of the frame (which is the delivery end and will herein be termed the front end of the machine) is not located at the extreme end of the frame 51, but at a point somewhat back of the end,

leaving projecting flanges 56 for mounting thev main feed mechanism. The whole is braced against endwise vibration by diagonal rods 57-. At the front end a pair of brackets 58 are secured to the front legs '52 to support the winding drum or reel for the completed fence, said brackets being braced by rods 59. The frame 51 is provided with an internal marginal web 60 for the sake of strength and to give sufiicient bearing-surface for the parts mounted on it.

On the upper side of the web 60 there is formed at the sides of the machine a pair of ways 61, on which slides a carriage 62. This carriage carries the coiling mechanism and has a front and rear reciprocating motion of about from two to three inches travel. Below the carriage 62 on the frame 51 is the drivingshaft 63 of the machine, which is mounted in bearings 64, secured on the frame 51, and an outboard-bearing 65, supported on legs 66, Figs. 2 and 3. On this shaft 63 are mounted fast and loose pulleys 67 68, on which runs the-driving-belt 69, which communicates motion to all moving parts of the machine. A pinion 7 O is mounted on the left-hand end of the shaft 63 and meshes with two gear-wheels 71 and 72, mounted on parallel shafts 73 and 74, which we will here term the rear and intermediate cam-shafts, respectively, these shafts being mounted to turn in boxes 75 and 76, bolted or otherwise secured to the side of the frame 51. (See Figs. 4, 5, and 10.) On the same sides of the frame 51 asthe gears 71 and 72 is alsomounted an idle gear-wheel 77 upon a stub-shaft 78, and this wheel meshes with and is turned by the gear 72, and in front of this is the front cam-shaft 79, which is likewise mounted in bearings on the frame 51 and has a gear 80 keyed thereto and meshing with and turned by the gear 77. As above stated and as seen from Fig. 2, the machine shown is a seven-strand-fence machine, the strands A passing through the machine longitudinally from rear to frontthat is, from left to right in Fig. 2-and being numbered A, A A A, A A, and A, respectively, from top to bottom. Each stay B comprises six lengths of IIO wire B, B ,B B*, B, and B, whose adjacent ends interlock with each other and with the strands, as shown. (See Figs. 40 and 41.) The seven strand-wires A are derived from individual coils, bobbins, or reels placed at the rear of the machine, (and not herein shown, as they form no part of our invention,) and on its way to the machine each strand-wire passes through a straightener 81, adjustably mounted on a bar 82, each of these bars being fixed in a socket 83, formed on a plate 84, bolted to the rear of the machine or arranged in any other manner, these straighteners being common to all similar machines and forming no part of .our present invention.

The six stay-wires B, B B B, B and B, forming part of each stay B, are in like manner derived from six individual coils, bobbins, or reels of wire located at the right side of the machine and fed in by a suitable feed mechanism in a direction at right angles with the strand-wires A and alternately above and below the latter, as will be seen from their position in end view in Figs. 1 and 3 or on a larger scale in Figs. 25 and 26 and in side view in Figs. 4 and 5. The feed mechanism 85 here shown is operated by means of a vertical shaft 86, mounted in the bracket 87 and having mounted on its upper end a crank 88, connected to the feed mechanism by a pitman 89 and on its lower end a miter-gear 90, meshing with its companion gear 90 on the end of the intermediate cam-shaft7 4. This feed mechanism 85, however, forms no part of our present invention, as any feed mechanism adapted to accomplish the purposes of feeding the respective staywires into the machine in their proper respective lengths may be used. It is convenient in wire fences of this character to have the lower strand-wires closer together than the upper strand-wires, whereby small animals are prevvented from going through the fence and a minimum amount of wire is used for any given height of fence, and in the fence here shown the distance of the respective strand-wires increases gradually from bottom to top, thus requiring a different length of stay-wire for each of the respective stay-wires B to B.

Consequently the feed mechanism 85 should be such as to feed the proper length for each staywire individually at each cycle of the machine; but it is to be understood that We do not in any way confine ourselves to a fence having different lengths of stay-wires, as our machine is equally applicable to a fence having thestrand-wires equally spaced. In this case the mechanism 85 would be so arranged as to feed the same lengths of stay wire for all the stay-wires.

There are three principal parts of the machine which perform the function of cutting the stay-wire, conveying it to its place on the strand, and fixing it to the strandsto Wit, first, the cutters and carriers, (designated 91 and 92, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 25, and 26,) the gripping and crimping dies 93 94, Figs. 3. 4, 5, 8, 9, 25, and 26, including also the end dies 96, Figs. 4, 5, 27,28, 29, and 30, and the coiling mechanism comprising in its main parts the rotary coilers 97, mounted in coiler-blocks 98, Figs. 4, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, and 31, including also the end coilers 99, mounted in posts 101, Figs. 2, 4, 29', and 30. Of these the cutters and carriers 91 and 92 and the coiling mechanism are mounted to reciprocate on the carriage 62, whereas the upper gripping and crimping dies 93 are mounted to reciprocate vertically in the head-block 102, and the lower gripping and crimping dies 94 are mounted in a vertical reciprocating die-carriage 103, immediately over the intermediate cam-shaft 7 4, all as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

, The function of the cutters and carriers 91 and 92 is to cut the respective lengths of said wires and convey them individually into their proper positions on the strands and between the gripping and crimping dies. The function of the gripping and crimping dies 93 94 is to grip the stay-wires and hold them in proper position on the strands ready to be coiled, and

while the coilers advance by the motion of the carriage and coil the latter while further in the act of gripping these dies place the proper crimp in the strand-wires. .The function of the coilers is to advance to receive the staywires as they are held in the gripping-dies and to coil their ends around each other and in the case of the end stay-wires tocoil them about the outside strands. We will now proceed to describe these respective mechanisms, beginning with the gripping-dies, next the carriers, and lastly the coilers.

Although the upper and lower dies each have a vertical motion, their action is such that the motion of the upper dies is only for the purpose of freeing the joint after the coiling operation has taken place, whilethe lower dies are depended on to put the crimp in the wire. These dies are shown, respectively, in enlarged perspective views in Figs. 8 and 9. As will IIO be seenboth dies have a thickened shank 104 y 105 and a flattened lower and upper end, res'pectively, 106 107, which ends are of nearly the same thickness as the strand-wire. Inthe upper edge of the lower die 94 are formed a longitudinal groove 108, in which thestrandwire rests when held by the dies, and a transverse segmental notch 109, which is of the shape of the crimp to be placed in the strandwire. Correspondingly the lower edge ofthe upper die 93 (which neednot be groovedlhas a segmental projection or knuckle 110, coopcrating with and fitting-into the notch 109,

whereby to bend the strand-wire into said notch. The notch 109 and the knuckle110 have, further, at their centers each a circular smaller notch 111, in which notches fit the two stay-wires which pass, respectively, above and below the strand at the center of the crimp,

as clearly shown in Fig. 40. Furthermore,

both sides of the flattened ends 106 107 of each die are hollowed out, as shown at 112 113, whereby to permit the coiling of the staywire ends to take place as closely as possible to the strand-wires.

The foregoing description of the dies applies only to those having an intermediate joint, inasmuch as the outside strands A and A are connected with the stays B in a differ- 'ent mannerthat is, by coiling the stay end around the strand-wire A or A as shown in Fig. 41, Sheet 10. We therefore use for these outside joints a pair of differently-shaped dies 95 96, Figs. 27 and 28, those shown being for the dies on the extreme left of the machine, which have each a square end or head 114 115 and a longitudinal or transverse groove 116 117. In the case shown the longitudinal groove is in the upper die and the transverse groove in the lower die, because in this case the stay ends pass below the strand; but in cases where the stay passes above the strand'as, for example, on the opposite end of this machinethe position of these grooves will of course be reversed. These end dies do not perform any crimping operation, but simply act to receive the staywire from the carrier and transfer it to the coiler.

The lower dies 94 are mounted in slots 118 in the die-carriage 103, being providedwith reduced lower ends 119, which fit in these slots, Figs. 3 and 9, and they are held therein by overlapping plates 121, bolted to the carriage, as shown. The die-carriage is provided with set-screws 120, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, passing up from beneath and abutting on the lower ends of the dies 94, whereby they may be individually adjusted to the position of the respectivestrand-wires beneath which they are respectively mounted. The die-carriage 103 has at its ends slides 122, which travel in vertical ways 123, formed by lugs at the sides of the frame 51, one'of these lugs (that at the left) being shown in section in Fig. 4. The carriage 103 has further to assist in steadying it, a pair of depending forks 124, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, which embrace and slide on the cam-shaft 74. The latter in turn is provided with a pair of cams 125, on which rest rollers 126, mounted on the die-carriage 103, andsaid cams cause the carriage to be raised and lowered at the proper times. The vertical motion of the die-carriage is but very slight (about a half-inch) just sufiicient to enable the dies to certainly release the joint after the coiling operation, and it is not absolutely essential to our invention that this die-carriage and the movable lower dies should be used, as it would be possible to use the ma chine withstationary lower dies or with other means for freeing the joint from the dies, or if, on the contrary, thejupper and lower dies are reversed in position the upper dies might then be made stationary; but we prefer to have both sets of dies movable, as this is found to be important for the smooth operation of the machine.

Referring next to the mounting of the upper dies, this will be best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, which present, respectively, a front and rear view of the same. On the sides of the frame 51 are secured upright plates 127, each of which has an enlarged head 128 at its upper end on which rest the two ends of the headblock 102, the latter being provided with bolting-flanges 129 for this purpose. The head-block has a series of vertical grooves or channels which receive the shanks 104 of the upper dies 93, and the latter are held in place in these channels by means of plates 130 131 overlapping them at top and bottom and bolted to the head-block, as shown. Astop-pin 104 is inserted in the rear edge of the shank 104 of each upper die to prevent it from falling out when the head-block is being set up. On the top of the head-block 102 is mounted a reciprocating cam-bar 132, which operates the dies 93. This bar is shown in enlarged detail in Figs. 6 and 7 and, as shown, is of approximately square section and is provided with an approximately square channel 133 in its lower side, extending the entire length of the bar. This bar is held in position on the head-block by means of an angular piece 134, Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5, extending over its front and top side and bolted to the head-block by cap-screws 135, and the bar 132' is retained against rearward displacement by strap-plates 136, overlapping it at intervals and secured to the rear face of the head-block 102 and the rear edge of the angular piece 134, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. The cam-bar 132 has farther in its rear wall a series of undercut notches 137, Figs. 5 and 6, forming at the right of each notch a projecting finger 138, which has 1 an oblique upper edge 139, and each of the upper dies 93 has in like mannera notch 140, out in the rear edge thereof near the top and provided with an oblique surface 141, which cooperates with the finger 138, the latter passing into the notch 140 when the bar 132 is moved to the right (the left in Fig. 6) and raises the die into its upper position in the slot 137, as shown by the dotted-line position 93, Fig. 6.

At the left of each notch 137 is mounted a small auxiliary cam-block 142 of rectangular form, pivoted on a pin 143, extending across the channel 133, as shown, so that the righthand end of the block 142 has a slight vertical movement, and a pin 144, projecting from its lower side, is provided to limit-this movement in a downward direction. This block 142 has an oblique edge 145, parallel to the edge. 139 and so shaped as to allow just sufficient room for the projecting part 146 of the die 93 above the notch 140 to pass through between the block 142 and finger 138. It

vided for the purpose of the individual adjustment of each of the dies 93, for it is found that unless this is done the upper and lower dies do not properly grip the wires, some being only loosely held and. others being compressed too tight. Over the free end of each block 142 a screw-threaded hole is formed in the bar 132 and a set-screw 148 fitted thereinto, as shown, by means of which the position of the block 142 is adjusted until it presses just sufficiently upon the head of the die 93 to cause it to grip its wires properly. The setscrew 148 is provided with a jam-nut 147, which by an interposed sleeve or washer 147 a is raised above the top of the angular member 134 for convenience of manipulation. By reference to Figs. 2 and 5 it will be seen that the angular piece 134 has rectangular notches 149 out therein to receive the respective setscrews 148 and to allow them each to reciprocate with the bar 132, to which they are attached.

The means for reciprocating the cam-bar 132 comprise a cam 150, mounted on the rightliandend of the rear cam shaft 73 and shown in detail side and front view in Figs. 10 and 11; a vertical rock-shaft 151, Figs. 2 and 4, mounted in bearing-lugs 152153, formed on an upright base-plate 154, Figs. 3 and 4, secured to the side of the frame 51; a lower rock-arm 155, fixed to the shaft 151 and carrying at its end a cam-roller 156, and an up.-:

per rock-arm. 157, extending forwardly and having a pin 1.58, which connects by a link 159 with a pin 160, mounted on the righthand end of the bar 132. cam 150 comprises a disk keyedito the shaft 73 and having two marginal arcuate notches 161 sufficiently deep to allow the cam-roller 156 to pass through, and fingers 162, projecting from either side of the disk and in the direction of motion, so as to hook over the roller 156 and cause it to pass from one side of the disk to the other and back at each revolution of the shaft 73, thus giving to the shaft 151 an oscillating and to the bar 132 a reciprocating movement, as required, whereby the upper dies are raised and lowered simultane-' ously in the manner already described.

I will next describe the cutters and carriers which cut ofi the lengths of stay-wire and convey them to the dies. Mounted on the front end of the carriage and on either side thereof is an upright post 163, Figs. 1, 3, 25, and 26, the ends of the two posts being united by an angle-bar 164 for the sake of strength and also to .carry the spacers .320, as will be.

hereinafter described. These posts serve as supports for a pair of transverse stationary axles 165 166,.which are passed through holes in the posts and held against endwise displacement by plates 163, covering their ends. On the axle 165 are mounted the upper carriers 91 and on the axle 166 the lower carriers 92. These carriers are shown in perspective 5 ping-dies.

(See Fig.4.) The ;bore 175 more securely, we may provide a in Figs. 12 and 13. Each of the upper'car-v riers 91 comprises aplate 167, provided with bearing-lugs 168, which turn on the shaft 165, and the carriers are held in proper position longitudinally on this shaft by the bearinglugs 169 on the bar 164, which support the shaft at intermediate points of its length. As shown in Fig. 2, there are three of these upper carriers. The plate 167 has its rear portion recessed to receive the active parts of the carrier, which comprise afixed jaw 170 and a movable jaw 171. The jaw 171 is attached to the spring-plate 172 by means of rivets 173, and this plate is in turn secured, together 'with the fixed jaw 170, in the recessed portion of the plate 167 by rivets or screws 174. Each jaw has formed in its extreme outside end a semicylindrical groove, the two cooperating to form a cylindrical bore 17 5 of the same diameter as or slightly less than that of the stay-wire, which is pushed thereintofrom the right-hand end of the feed mechanism 85. (The entering end of the bore should be somewhat enlarged to facilitate pushing in the wire.)

The two jaws are, furthermore, transversely notched near each end, as shown at 176, these notches .loeing opposite the gripping-dies,

and in order to admit these dies to a position where their central notches 111 are in line with the stay-wire when held in the bore 175.

It will be seen that when the dies grip the wire and the carriage retires the spring-plate 172 enables the upper jaw to release the wire, which ispulled from the carrier by the grip- In order to hold the wire in the light subsidiary spring 177, riveted at 178 to the upper .jaw and projecting through a recess 17 9 into the bore 17 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 14, thus holding the wire securely and preventing endwise motion, which might otherwise take place. It is to be understood, however, that this spring 177 is not an essential part of the carrier, but merely an auxiliary, which may be omitted in some cases.

On the plate 167 of the carrier 91 is mounted a post 180, secured thereto by bolts 181 and havingahorizontally-projecting pin 182, which-runsin the cam-slot 183, formed in a forwardly-projecting bar 184, secured to the head-block 102. The form of the cam-slot is, such that when the carrier is moved forward. Eby the motion of the carriage it is raised until- :the bore 17 5 comes opposite the end of its respective stay-wire B as the latter is fed into the machine, while when the carrier is moved back by the backward motion of the carriagel it is lowered until the stay-wire in the twonotches 17 6' rests upon the strands and is in position directly in the center line of. the gripping-dies.

On the right-hand plate 127, which supports the head-block, is secured a guide-plate 185, which projects over the edge-of the plate 127 a and has therein six holes corresponding to the proper positions of the stay-wires B to B, which pass therethrough, as shown. (See Figs..4 and 5.) On the enlarged head 128 of the right-hand plate 127 is also mounted a cutting block or knife 186, being secured by means of an overlapping plate 187 and capscrew 188. This knife has three holes 189 therein in line with the respective upper staywires B B* B", which pass therethrough, as shown. A perspective view of the block is shown in Fig. 17. The cutting-block 186 is positioned close to the right-hand edge of the corresponding carrier 91, and the latter has a shear-blade 190 set in the edge thereof, which coacts with the cutting block 186 to cut off the wire in the plane of division between the cutting-block and shear-blade when the carrier is moved backward to convey the length of stay-wire so cut off between the gripping-dies, as aforesaid. In the same manner the next adjacent carrier 91 has mounted adjacent thereto a cutting-block 191, secured upon a lug 192 on the head 102 by an overlapping plate 193 and cap-screw 194, said cutting block 191 having two holes therein, through which pass the remaining two staywires B B, and thethird and last carrier 91 has similarly cooperating therewith a cuttingblock 195, mounted in the same manner as the block 191 and having but one hole therethrough, through'which passes the remaining and extreme left-hand upper stay-wire B It will be understood, of course, that for a fence of more than seven strands there will be a correspondingly greater number of upper carriersand cutting-blocks arranged in a similar manner.

The lower carriers 92, like the upper carriers, comprise a plate 196, having bearinglugs 197 positioned on the lower carrier-shaft 166, said plate having also a shoulder 198, forming an abutment; for the other parts, and a flange 199; a fixed jaw 200, secured to the flange 199 by screws 201; a movable jaw 202, riveted to a spring-plate 203, which plate is clampedv between the jaw 200 and the flange 199, the two jaws being provided at their free ends with grooves cooperating to form a cylindrical bore 204, which fits the stay-wire, and transverse notches 205 to receive the gripping-dies, and a shear-blade 206, set in a recess in the right-hand edge of the jaws, as shown, which cooperates with one of the cutting-blocks 207 208 209, Figs. 4 and 16, which are arranged adjacent to the edges of the respective carriers and set in grooves in a bar 210, transversely arranged on the frame and supported at its ends upon the plates 127, Figs. 1 and 4. The cutting-blocks 207 208, and 209 are further supported by guide-blocks 211, 212, and 213, which have respectively three, two, and one longitudinal bores therein in line with the lower stay-wires B B B, respectively, and into which these pass and through the holes in the cutting-blocks 207, 208, and

209 into the bores 204 of the respective carriers. The bar 210 has a chamfered edge 214, against which the flange 199 strikes when the carriage retires, thus causing the carrier to be raised and the lower surface of the plate 196 to rest upon the bar 210, the plate 196 being so cut that this will cause the carrier to be raised into position to bring the stay-wire carried by it immediately under the strands which it crosses these strands passing partly into the notches 205, as shown in Fig. 26.

It will be understood that a springis provided for the lower carrier, similarly placed to the spring 177 in the upper carrier, but on the lower side thereof, and it is not therefore seen in Fig. 12, which is a view from the upper side. Again, projecting pins 215 are provided just back of the notch 205 to steady the strand-wire laterally when the gripping-dies are brought together upon it, these being on the upper side of the lower carrier and the lower side ofthe upper carrier, Figs. 12, 25, and 26. A screw 216 is employed to hold the shear-blades 190 206 in place, this being also on thelower side of the upper carrier, and therefore not visible in Fig. 13. It should be remarked, further, that the carrier shown in Fig. 12 is that on theleft-hand side of the machine, corresponding to the stay-wire B, and the different character of the outside gripping-dies makes it impossible, as well as unnecessary, to prolong the jaws so as to surround both sides of the end dies, thus leaving but one notch 205 in this case.

The coiling mechanism comprises a series of coilers 97, a row of blocks 98, supporting the coilers, and mechanism for rotating the coilers through two or more complete revolutions intermittently. One of the coilers is shown in perspective view in Fig. 21 and comprises a short shaft having journals 217 formed on its ends and a gear-pinion 218 in the middle. The shaft has a radial slit 219 from the center to the periphery between two of the teeth of the pinion 218, and a coiler-die 220, Figs. 23 and 24, is fitted in a dovetailed diametral recess formed in one or both ends of each coiler and secured therein bya screw 221. The coilerdie, like the shaft, has a radial slit 222, into which passes the stay-wire about which the adjacent stay-wire end is to be coiled, and around the slit 222 the die is recessed, as at 223, 'in a suitable manner to receive and hold the bent-over end which is to be coiled about.

the Wire passing through the slit.

Each of the blocks 98 comprises twin posts 224, having bearings 225 therein, which receive the ends of the coilers, the latter projecting a slight distance within the space between the two posts 224 of each coiling-block. It will be understood that every coiler is journaled in two adjacent posts of adjacent blocks, and the blocks themselves are provided with rearwardly-projecting lugs 226, which are bolted to the platform of the carriage 62 by carriage is, furthermore, preferably provided with a transversely-extending rib 228, which engages a groove 229, formed in the base of each block 98, whereby the coilers can be quickly adjusted into proper alinement. The platform of the carriage has further a plurality of longitudinal slots 230 therein, through which pass the lower gripping-dies, and the several blocks 98 are centrally'locatedwith respect to the slots, gripping-dies, and strandwires, whereby the strand-wires and dies readily pass between the projecting ends of two adjacent coilers, carryingwith them the staywires which are being held, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 18. The twin posts 224 have each a slit 234 in its forward side and a pair of forwardly-projecting lips 231 on the margins of the slit, which are alined in. the same horizontalplane as the strand-wires; but one pair of lips are bent up, so as to receive between them a stay-wire which passes over the strands, and the next adjacent pair are bent down,'so as to receive between them a stay-wire which passes under the strands when the carriage is advancing. The respective positions of the strands and overlapping staywire ends at this epoch of the cycle are clearly shown in Fig. 20. It will be observed that the necessary consequence of the further advancementof the carriage and coiling-blocks beyond the position shown in this figure is the bending over of the two overlapping ends, one of which passes overthe downwardlybent lips 231 of one post 224' and the other under the upwardly-bent lips 231 of the other post 224. At the base of the upper lip on the post having the downwardly-bent lips there is formed a groove 232, Figs. 19 and 20, so that the projecting end of the wire B is bent over at right angles in striking this groove and passes into the recess 223 of the coiler-die immediately behindit, while, on the other hand, at the base of the lower lip on the post 224, having the upwardly-bent lips, there is formed a similar groove 233, and when the projecting end of the wire B strikes this point it is bent over at right angles and passes through this groove into the recess 223 on the opposite coiler, all as clearly indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 18. During this time it will be understood that the coilers are in such position that their radial slits 219 register exactly with the slits 234 between the two lips of each post,so that the stay-wires are smoothly guided by these lips into axial position within the coilers. When so located and still held firmly by the grippingdies,each coiler is given two complete revolutions, whereby each bentover stay-wire end within a recess 223 of the coiling-dies is wrapped firmly about the shank of the stay-wire passing through that die. The operation of coiling is clearly shown in Fig. 31, which is a perspective view of the 'coiler, showing the stay-wire B passing through it and the end of the stay-wire B partially coiled about it.

It will be observed that as the stay-wires pass alternately over and under. the strands the adjacent posts 224 of each pair' of blocks 98 have their lips turned in the same direction and each pair is turned alternately upward and downward, as clearly displayed in Figs. 4 and 19. Also it is to be observed that the end block 235 has no lips 231. as there is no end to be bent over or to be coiled at this point; but the outside stay-wire'ends are, as above mentioned, coiled about the outside strands by special mechanism hereinafter described.

On each coiler-block 98'is mounted,between the two posts 224, a grooved guide-sheave 236 on a pivot-pin 237, and with said sheave cooperates another pin 238, immediately over preferably used to hold the pawl in contact withthe ratchet-wheel, and collars 245 are 4 secured on the end of the shaft to hold it against endwise play. On the end of the -double rock-arm 244 is a pivot-bolt 246, on

which is journaled a pitman 247, whose lower end is pivoted on a crank-pin 248, projecting from the face of the gear-wheel 71. At or near the center of the main shaft 239 is keyed a gear-wheel 249, which meshes with a pinion 250 on a parallel counter-shaft 251, which isalso mounted on the carriage 62 in bearings 252, secured thereto.

Holes are provided in the bearing-blocks 240 252 wherever necessary to permit the passageof the strand-wires immediately beneath the shafts 239 .251.

On the shaft. 251 are also mounted a series 'of gear-wheelst253, one opposite each coiler,

therefore six in number in this machine. Each gear-wheel drives one, of the coilers, either directly by intermeshing with the teeth of the pinion 218, formed on the coiler, or indirectly through the medium of a reversing- -pinion 254, which has journals 255 on its ends turning in bearing-sockets 256 .in the coilerblocks.

One of these reversing-pinions is q thereby reversing the direction of the coiler with respect to the remaining coilers, which mesh directly with the wheels 253.

The transmission of motion from the shaft 73 must be such that the coilers make a complete number of turns, so that they shall always come to rest when the slits 219 are in register with the slits 234. In. this machine the ratchet-wheel 241 has six teeth, and the ratio of the diameters of the gear-wheel 249 and pinion 250 is two to one, so that the shaft 251 makes at each cycle of the machine onethird of a revolution. The gears 253 having a diameter six times that of the pinions 218, the coilers will accordingly be revolved through two revolutions at each cycle of the machine. In like manner by suitably adj usting the gear ratio the coilers might be made to perform at each cycle one, three, or more complete revolutions, according to the number thought desirable.

In order to bring the slits 219 of the coilers into exact registry with the slits 234 of the coiler-block with unfailing certainty and to hold them there until the next coiling operation, we provide a locking mechanism, which is shown in detail in Fig. 32 and comprises a disk 256, keyed upon the shaft 251 and having triangular notches 257 therein spaced at distances around the circumference equal to the angle through which the shaft is turned at each coiling operation. With these notches engages the projecting end 258 of a locking dog 259, which is pivoted at 260 upon a membar 261, having depending pivot-lugs 262, passing through a slot 263 inthe platform of the carriage 62 and secured thereto by capscrews 264. The locking-dog 259 is acted on by a cam 265, keyed upon the shaft 73 in such manner as to raise the dog into engagement with one of the notches 257 at the moment the shaft 251 comes to rest and to hold it there during the backward-an-d-forward motion of the carriage and until the moment when the stay-wires are in place in the coilers and the latter are about to perform another coiling operation.

The mechanism for coiling the outside staywire ends is illustrated in side and front view in Figs. 29 and 30, which show the mechanism at the left side of the machine. On the extreme ends of the shaft 251 are mounted a pair of beveled gears 266, which mesh with beveledgear-pinions 267, formed on the end coilers 99, each of these latter being, as shown, in the form of an elongated tube, through the center of which the strand-wire passes, said tube turning-in the posts 100 and 101 and being provided at the end opposite from the pinion 267 with a shoulder 268, which prevents endwise movement of the coiler. The forward end of the coiler projects slightly beyond the face of the post 100 and has a coiler-die 220 mounted in a recess therein, all exactly as previously described for the intermediate coilers 97. The position of this coiler-die when the coiler is at rest is, as shown in Fig. 30, such that the radial slit 222 thereof projects horizontally and outwardly. On the head 115 of the lower die 96 is mounted av cap-screw 269, which forms a pivot for the presser-finger 270, whose lower end projects into avertical slot 271, out in the platform of the carriage 62, as clearly shown in Fig. 29, the ends of this slot being so positioned as to tilt the upper end of the finger 270 backward by striking against-its lower end upon the backward movement of the carriage, wherebyto cause the upper end of the finger to be lowered to permit the stay-wire end to be inserted between the two dies 95 96 by the carrier 92, while on the forward movement of the carriage the rear end of the slot 271 strikes against the heel 272 of'the finger and turns it into the position indicated by the dotted lines 27 O in Fig. 29, wherein it presses against the stay-wire end, which is at this moment released by the dies 95 96 and forced into the recess 223 of the coiling-die. This recess being slightly hooked or undercut, as shown in Fig. 24, holds it during the coiling operation and causes it to be completely coiled about the strand-wire A or A, leaving no projecting end, as is invariably the case with pincoilers.

It will be understood that the end coiler on the right-hand side of the machine is precisely similar to that of the left-hand side, the positions of the pinion 267 and shoulder 268 being merely reversed to secure the proper direction of rotation.

The mechanism adopted for conveying the proper motion to the carriage comprises two cams 273 274, keyed upon the shaft 73 immediately under the carriage 62, as shown in Fig. 10, and a depending yoke 275, Figs. 3,

33, and 34, bolted to the under side of the carriage-platform and having diagonal strengthening-webs 276. Upon this yoke and upon opposite sides and ends thereof are mounted two cam-rollers 277 278, which engage with the cams 273 274, respectively, the former of which acts to advance and the latter to retire the carriage by striking the rollers 27 7 and 278 at the proper times. Each of the cams 273 274 has a strengthening-flange 279, and the yoke 275 has a recess 280 therein, which, with a plate 281, bolted to the bottom of the yoke, forms a slot embracing the shaft 73. We wish it understood, however, that we do not confine ourselves to this particular form of the yoke 27 5 nor to this particular mechanism for transmitting motion to the carriage, for it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many such ways may be devised which will fulfil the same function.

The means by which the strands and the completed fence are fed through the machine comprise a drum 282, mounted on a stationary axle 283 at the front end of the machine,

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